Week 3 NFL Power Rankings

Week 3 NFL Power Ranks

So far it isn't good to be ranked as a number one team. In my two rankings the top team has gone down each time. For your sake you better hope I didn't rank your team as the best this time around. The big talk of this week isn't necessarily who won or lost. It is how they lost. As in how the Packers were absolutely jobbed out in Seattle. I won't get into a big discussion about it but really, the NFL needs to get he regular refs back. And fast.

1. Atlanta Falcons (3-0) I was very high on Matt Ryan and the Falcons being a serious threat this year. After his stellar start to the year (8 TDs 1 INT) they look poised to be just that. (Last Week's Ranking 2)

2. Houston Texans (3-0) Matt Schaub was hit so hard this past weekend that when his helmet flew off it took a piece of his ear with it. Seriously. (LWR 3)

3. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) They rallied behind WR Torrey Smith who just lost his younger brother in a motorcycle accident to get by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Ravens exact some revenge from last year's AFC title game. (LWR 7)

4. San Francisco 49ers (2-1) They beat the Packers and then the Lions. Their third NFC North opponent in a row, the Minnesota Vikings, were supposed to be the easiest team to beat of the bunch. The NFL is funny that way. (LWR 1)

5. Arizona Cardinals (3-0) Last week I wasn't a believer in Arizona after they beat New England. After they crushed my Philadelphia Eagles I am forced to give credit where credit is due. (LWR 15)

6. New York Giants (2-1) The Giants trounced the Carolina Panthers on the road on a short week. Now they rest up in a battle for first place in the division against the hated Eagles Sunday night. (LWR 11)

7. Green Bay Packers (1-2) As I mentioned above the Packers were jobbed in Seattle. That is why they still get a high ranking. They do have some work to do though to keep it. (LWR 4)

8. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) Their only loss was to undefeated Arizona and they had a few shots to score at the end of that one. They could easily be 3-0 and that defense loks to be the definition of stout. (LWR 19)

9. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) If they don't stop turning the ball over they could be in trouble. The last play before the half in the Arizona game was a killer. The second half is different if it is 17-3 instead of 24-0. (LWR 6)

10. Chicago Bears (2-1) The Bears eked out a win over the St. Louis Rams over the weekend. They need to be better if they want to contend this year. (LWR 12)

11. San Diego Chargers (2-1) They were spanked at home by Atlanta who iproved their record to 6-0 all time in San Diego. If they bounce back next week a loss to the top team in the league can be overlooked. (LWR 9)

12. Dallas Cowboys (2-1) They righted themselves against a bad Tampa Bay team but they need to score more points if they plan on winning the NFC East. (LWR 14)

13. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) A.J. Green is quickly putting his name in the discussion for the best receiver in the NFL. Through three games he has amassed 21 catches for 311 yards and two scores. (LWR 16)

14. New England Patriots (1-2) How the mighty have fallen. My week one top team has lost two in a row albeit to teams with a combined 5-1 record. (LWR 5)

15. Denver Broncos (1-2) Peyton Manning was supposed to be the stabilizing force on offense to complement a great defense. The problem is the defense is not holding up their end of the deal. (LWR 10)

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) Normally going out to the west coast and losing a game to the Raiders isn't inexcusable. This is not one of those times. (LWR 8)

17. Detroit Lions (1-2) They have scored 87 points in three games and have a losing record. That is because they have allowed 94 points. Yikes. (LWR 13)

18. New York Jets (2-1) They may have won the game this weekend but they lost their best defensive player, Darrelle Revis, to a season-ending ACL tear. His shoes will be tough to fill. (LWR 21)

19. Minnesota Vikings (2-1) Adrian Peterson looks fully healed from his ACL tear and the Vikes pulled off a huge upset in San Fran on Sunday. (LWR 22)

20. Buffalo Bills (2-1) The Bills are now turning to Tashard Choice to tote the rock after CJ Spiller was injured while filling in for the injured Fred Jackson. (LWR 25)

21. Washington Redskins (1-2) RGIII is lighting up the scoreboard but the 'Skins find themselves in familiar territory. The bottom of the NFC East. (LWR 17)

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) If nothing else head coach Greg Schiano is consistent. He once again had his defense crash the line at the end of a game when the opposing team is trying to take a knee. (LWR 18)

23. Carolina Panthers (1-2) They have a long week to rest up and think about the egg they laid Thursday night. They have a pivotal game against division-leading Atlanta this week. (LWR 20)

24. St. Louis Rams (1-2) Jeff Fisher has this team playing competitively. If only Steven Jackson (140 yards in three games) would get on board. (LWR 24)

25. Tennessee Titans (1-2) The Titans scored a touchdown on a play reminiscent of the Music City Miracle in a wild win over the Lions. (LWR 28)

26. Oakland Raiders (1-2) The Raiders got coach Dennis Allen his first win in a wild one against the Steelers. Run DMC had 113 yards on the ground against a usually tough Pittsburgh front. (LWR 29)

27. Miami Dolphins (1-2) They lost a heartbreaker at home against the Jets and Reggie Bush left with an injury. Without him the offense won't do much. (LWR 27)

29. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) Jamaal Charles had a monster game rushing for 233 yards as the Chiefs rallied to drop the New Orleans Saints to 0-3 on the year. (LWR 30)

30. New Orleans Saints (0-3) The Saints blew a 24-6 second half lead against the previously winless Chiefs. Things are getting ugly in New Orleans. (LWR 23)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) They pulled out a late victory against the Colts to avoid going to 0-3. Maurice Jones-Drew looks fine after his holdout as well running for 177 yards in the win. (LWR 32)

32. Cleveland Browns (0-3) The Browns need a lot of help in a lot of areas. If they get the number one pick in this year's draft it could help. (LWR 31)